Sailing from Panama City, afull trip through the Panama Canal takes 9-10 hours and combines ship and bus as does a partial transit option of 5-6 hours. Ships accommodate 100 to 500 passengers on two or three decks, at least one of them air-conditioned and an open-air viewing area. Food and bar service is available, a buffet lunch included in the price. The Panama Canal Authority assigns the specific hour of sail 24-hours in advance, but departures from Amador Causeway are generally around 7 a.m. Full transit, $250;partial transit, $180 (also children's fees).